Merck & Co Inc (MRK): Today's Featured Health Care Winner

Merck was a winner within the health care sector, rising $0.81 (1.5%) to $55.70 on average volume

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Merck ( MRK) pushed the Health Care sector higher today making it today's featured health care winner. The sector as a whole closed the day up 0.9%. By the end of trading, Merck rose $0.81 (1.5%) to $55.70 on average volume. Throughout the day, 14,865,355 shares of Merck exchanged hands as compared to its average daily volume of 12,788,000 shares. The stock ranged in a price between $54.44-$55.75 after having opened the day at $54.78 as compared to the previous trading day's close of $54.89. Other companies within the Health Care sector that increased today were: Dehaier Medical Systems ( DHRM), up 30.3%, Cadence Pharmaceuticals ( CADX), up 26.5%, Relypsa ( RLYP), up 18.9% and Stemline Therapeutics ( STML), up 17.5%.

Merck & Co., Inc. provides various health solutions through its prescription medicines, vaccines, biologic therapies, animal health, and consumer care products worldwide. Merck has a market cap of $160.0 billion and is part of the drugs industry. Shares are up 9.7% year to date as of the close of trading on Monday. Currently there are 7 analysts that rate Merck a buy, no analysts rate it a sell, and 7 rate it a hold.

TheStreet Ratings rates Merck as a buy. Among the primary strengths of the company is its solid stock price performance. We feel these strengths outweigh the fact that the company has had sub par growth in net income.